Chembio Diagnostics closes $6M offering; Device research vulnerable to sequestration effects;

@FierceMedDev: Dako gains FDA blessing for breast cancer antibody Dx agent. More | Follow @FierceMedDev

@MarkHFierce: Japan is dropping reimbursement rates for interventional cardiology devices. Not a good development for business. Story | Follow @MarkHFierce

 @DamianFierce: Bausch + Lomb has a date with the FDA for its intraocular lens implant. Article | Follow @DamianFierce

> Academic-related medical device research is increasingly threatened by the federal funding cuts known as sequestration. Story

> Sweden's Aerocrine won Japanese regulatory approval to use Niox Mino, its fractional exhaled nitric oxide-measuring device to assess asthmatic patients and others with inflamed airways. Release

> Lensar nailed down a 510(k) clearance for its cataract surgery laser device. Story

> Chembio Diagnostics ($CEMI) closed a $6 million public offering. Plans call for using the money, in part, to fuel an expansion of the company's rapid diagnostic tests offerings. Item

> AliveCor, maker of a new mobile heart monitor, named Daniel Sullivan as its new president and CEO. He replaces Judy Wade, who left the company in December. Story

> Scientists at Case Western Reserve University are using a squid's beak as a model for safer and more comfortable medical devices, in part because of its combination of extremely hard and soft, durable materials. Release

> A cardiologist at Pennsylvania Hospital in Philadelphia has resigned in the wake of an investigation that found patients received cardiac stents even when they didn't need them. Story

Biotech News

@FierceBiotech: #1 biotech billionaire on our list? @BillGates | Full report | Follow @FierceBiotech

@JohnCFierce: The biotech gods taketh away, and they giveth. Regeneron expanding, adding 400 jobs. More | Follow @JohnCFierce.

@RyanMFierce: Pfizer made another early-stage deal with a Cambridge, MA biotech. This one with Gates-backed Tetragenics. Release | Follow @RyanMFierce

> Merrimack's lead lung cancer drug flunks first of three PhII tests. Article

> Can Merck use animal data to make its case against Lunesta, Ambien? More

> Bristol-Myers shuttering Amylin's San Diego HQ, laying off hundreds. Report

> Celgene-backed Agios and Foundation partner in breakthrough cancer strategy. News

Pharma News

@FiercePharma: Analysts expect nanotech drug delivery boom despite safety concerns. Article | Follow @FiercePharma

@EricPFierce: Pfizer recalls 52,000 bottles of its thyroid pill Levoxyl because of a bad odor. More | Follow @EricPFierce

> Big Pharma shows its claws with new compensation policies. Article

> Novartis aims new Gilenya campaign at young MS patients. Report

> Pfizer fails to block $142M Neurontin award, faces 2 more suits. Story

Pharma Manufacturing News

> Industry ready to resurrect track and trace negotiations. Report

> Pfizer has another recall tied to smelly drugs. More

> Canada compounding pharmacy linked to weak chemo drugs. Story

> Frazier grabs AndersonBrecon as it bulks up in packaging. Article

Vaccines News

> JAMA paper delves into Merck staph vaccine flunk. Item

> Text message campaign fails to boost vaccination rate. Article

> U.S. keeping rubella at bay as virus takes toll globally. More

> Autism argument again undermined by vaccine data. Story

> Merck vax condemning pox to past. Report